Free prescriptions (England) – exemption certificate

Free prescriptions (England) – exemption certificate

If you are under 60, living in England, and you use insulin or medicine to manage your diabetes you are entitled to free prescriptions but you must have a medical exemption certificate before you can claim them. (Prescriptions are free for everybody in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

There has been a crackdown on people with diabetes in England claiming free prescriptions without an exemption certificate and this has led to some people being fined up to £100. If you have been issued with a fine and received no reminder letter, then you can call the NHS BSA and explain this to them – the telephone number is 0300 330 9291.

What now?
The Health Minister has reported that a new process has been introduced whereby if someone has made a claim for medical (or maternity) exemption, and there is no evidence they hold an exemption certificate, they will still receive a penalty charge, but this can be cancelled if they submit a valid application for a medical (or maternity) exemption certificate within 60 days of the receipt of the penalty charge notice.

Where a penalty surcharge has already been paid, a payment equal to the amount of the surcharge will be refunded but not the cost of the prescription.

How to obtain a medical exemption certificate
If you want to claim free prescriptions you need a medical exemption certificate.

Obtain form FP92A from your GP surgery.

Complete the form and return it to your GP for signing and the surgery will send it off.

If you do not have a certificate or your application is being processed, you will need to pay for your prescription. Ask your pharmacist for a FP57 receipt and refund claim form so that you will be able to claim the money back once your certificate has been issued. (It is backdated by a month from when it is issued.)